FA Cup re-match gets Branson backing

Virgin Atlantic is to support a charity football match featuring players from the 1990 FA Cup final between Crystal Palace and Manchester United.

The airline was the Eagle’s sponsor at the time of the original game and the re-match will help boost the fund raising work of Geoff Thomas, the former Crystal Palace captain, who was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia three and a half years ago.

And the game will see the clubs’ former managers and many of the players go head-to-head in what is sure to be a competitive match.

Steve Coppell will lead out Crystal Palace with the legendary line-up including Thomas himself, Ian Wright, Mark Bright and Nigel Martyn.

Sir Alex Ferguson will lead out the former Manchester United team which includes nineties favourites Bryan Robson, Brian McClair, Mark Hughes and Gary Pallister.

Chairman of Virgin Atlantic, Sir Richard Branson, said: “The match promises to be a great opportunity to see the football stars of the 1990s.

“I’m sure that everyone will enjoy re-living what was the biggest game in Crystal Palace’s history whilst helping to raise as much money as possible to support Geoff Thomas’ leukaemia appeal."

Geoff Thomas’ fund raising efforts were inspired by the story of legendary cyclist Lance Armstrong’s own flight against cancer, and Thomas has already raised £170,000 by completing the 2,200 mile Tour de France last summer.

"I’m really thrilled to have had such great support from both clubs and so many famous individuals,” Geoff Thomas said.

“Even 16 years on, I’m sure the match will be fiercely competitive with the likes of Mark Hughes, Ian Wright and Bryan Robson taking part.

“It’s my ambition to sell out Selhurst Park and raise money for those people I have met still battling with this terrible disease."

The match will take place at Selhurst Park Stadium, London, on Thursday, April 6, kick-off 7.45pm.

© Cheapflights Ltd Craig McGinty